CAL LEAGUE ATTENDANCE WAS DOWN.Byline: Chris Cocoles Daily News Staff Writer Forever will 1998 be linked to the renaissance of major-league baseball. That doesn't bother Matt Ellis Matt Ellis (born August 31, 1981, in Welland, Ontario, Canada) is a professional ice hockey left winger. He currently plays as captain for the Grand Rapids Griffins of the American Hockey League. , who like every other baseball fan was captivated cap·ti·vate tr.v. cap·ti·vat·ed, cap·ti·vat·ing, cap·ti·vates 1. To attract and hold by charm, beauty, or excellence. See Synonyms at charm. 2. Archaic To capture. by the historic exploits of Sammy Sosa Samuel Sosa Peralta (born November 12 1968 in San Pedro de Macorís, Dominican Republic) is a designated hitter for the Texas Rangers of the American League. His Major League career began when he broke in with the Texas Rangers in 1989. , Mark McGwire  Editing of this page by unregistered or newly registered users is currently disabled due to vandalism. .
As vice president and general manager of the JetHawks, Ellis believes what's good for major-league baseball is good for minor-league baseball. ``We're partners with major-league baseball in a way,'' Ellis said. To an outsider, the JetHawks and the California League The California League is a minor league baseball league which operates throughout the state of California. Before 2002, it was classified as a "High-A" league, indicating its status as a Class A league with the highest level of competition within that classification, and the fifth suffered at the turnstile this year. For just the second time in the past 10 years, the Years, The the seven decades of Eleanor Pargiter’s life. [Br. Lit.: Benét, 1109] See : Time Single-A Cal League didn't register an improvement in attendance from the previous season. There was a 13 percent decrease from 1997's record-setting year. Each of the 10 franchises suffered a drop in attendance. The biggest losers were the High Desert Mavericks The High Desert Mavericks are a minor league baseball team in Adelanto, California, USA. Their Major League parent club is the Seattle Mariners. They are a "high-A" class team in the California League, and had been a farm team of the Kansas City Royals since 2005 before the switch. (down 4 percent), San Jose Giants The San Jose Giants are a minor league baseball team in San Jose, California, USA. They are a "high-A" class team in the Northern Division of the California League, and have been a farm team of the San Francisco Giants since 1988. (5 percent) and Modesto A's (6.5 percent). The JetHawks attracted a third-highest total at 238,173 (3,452 average), down from their 1997 total of 298,465, However, ask Ellis or any Cal League GM for an explanation and you get the same two-word response. El Nino. ``I was a little mad at El Nino,'' Ellis said of the weather phenomenon that led to 27 rainouts, unfathomable for a league regarded as having the best weather in the minors. ``It's hard to blame our fans for not coming out when the weather was so bad,'' Ellis said. ``I would estimate El Nino cost us 30,000 people off our season total.'' Overall, though, Ellis was pleased with the six-figure turnout to see a playoff club that finished 14 games over .500, the franchise's best record since moving to Lancaster from Riverside three years ago. The JetHawks' attendance figures have dropped each of their first three years, which is not uncommon and a sign that it's not wise to become lazy or complacent with the success. ``We realize we're not going to lapse every year as long as we do a good job of putting out a good product,'' Ellis said. ``I'm a true believer true believer n. One who is deeply, sometimes fanatically devoted to a cause, organization, or person: "a band of true believers bonded together against all those who did not agree with them" in faith. We can do a good job in providing quality.'' Last season, the California League All-Star game An all-star game is an exhibition game played by the best players in their sports league. The players are often chosen by a popular vote of fans of the sport and the game often occurs at the halfway point of the regular season, although this is not the case for some all-star games at Lancaster Municipal Stadium provided an obvious marketing tool for the JetHawks. Ellis has another idea for 1999. Three more former JetHawks, outfielder Shane Monahan with the parent-club Seattle, pitcher Trey Moore with Montreal, and pitcher Marino Santana at Detroit, all made their major-league debuts in 1998. Add that group to established big leaguers Ken Cloude and Jose Cruz Jose Luis Cruz (Cheo) can refer to different people:
``You're going to see us market our major-leaguers this year and talk about them a lot more,'' Ellis said. ``I went with my Dad (team president Mike Ellis Mike Ellis (born July 27, 1958 in Perth, Western Australia) is a retired Australian professional basketball player in the National Basketball League. He was the first captain of the Perth Wildcats when they formed in 1982 as the Westate Wildcats and captained the side from ) to Tiger Stadium Tiger Stadium is the name of several stadiums, including:
``You can't tell me when the Expos were at Dodger Stadium some of our fans didn't go there to see Trey Moore. . . . Fans come up to me every day and ask how (JetHawks-turned major-leaguers) are doing.'' That's minor-league baseball's primary goal - to prepare young players for the next level. A close second is entertaining fans. ``We don't just sell baseball. The Dodgers sell baseball only,'' Ellis said. ``You're not going to pay $4 for a ticket and be right on the field . . . where you can go see a quality baseball game and get all that craziness. Where you can buy a tennis ball for a buck, throw it on the field and win prizes. We've got our niche.'' Notes: For JetHawks season and mini-plan ticket information, call (805) 726-5400 . . . Ellis said the 1999 coaching staff could be announced within the next week. Manager Rick Burleson, who led two playoff teams with few top Mariners prospects, probably won't be back and might not remain in the Seattle organization. . . . The Cal League's game schedule is close to being finalized; the All-Star game is set for Lake Elsinore on June 22. The Cal League's best will take on the Carolina League All-Stars following a one-year hiatus. CALIFORNIA LEAGUE ATTENDANCE Home totals Team Dates 1998 1997 Rancho Cucamonga 66 338,145 404,525 Lake Elsinore 69 287,005 341,393 Lancaster 69 238,173 298,465 San Bernardino 68223,219 273,739 High Desert 68 151,245 157,605 Modesto 67 135,620 140,861 San Jose 70 141,180 146,151 Stockton 65 80,589 101,254 Bakersfield 69 78,027 117,818 Visalia 65 60,154 80,078 1998 per game averages Rancho Cucamonga 5,123 Lake Elsinore 4,159 Lancaster 3,452 San Bernardino 3,283 High Desert 2,224 Modesto 2,024 San Jose 2,017 Stockton 1,240 Bakersfield1,131 Visalia 925 CAPTION(S): Box BOX: CALIFORNIA LEAGUE ATTENDANCE (see text) |
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